Tag Archives: Stampin’ Blends

PEACEFUL GARDEN THIS OR THAT?

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Can I tell you I LOVE the Peaceful Garden Designer Series paper? And this print in particular? It has that moody blue holiday feeling, but it transitions into so many other roles. Time for a good This or That!

The Christmas Words Hybrid Embossing Folder has every expression you can imagine. You can choose to use it as a background folder or add the die to the “sandwich” and cut each one out. I’ve added color with Cloud Cover Stampin’ Blends and it was very forgiving.

But then I turned the layout on its side and changed the sentiment – and I think it makes a lovely sympathy card. I really like the Linen Thread on this card.

So what do you think? Landscape or Portrait? Christmas or Sympathy? or maybe a mash-up? In either case, give it a try. It’s a quick and easy way to use that DSP stash.

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MAKING A CARD WITH THE TRADITIONAL WREATH EMBOSSING FOLDER

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This holiday season, Stampin’ Up! has not one but two gorgeous embossing folders. You’ve seen the Peaceful Greenery Embossing folder – now say hello to the Traditional Wreath Embossing Folder!

  • Stamps: Seasonal Tags
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Shaded Spruce, Real Red, Cherry Cobbler
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Traditional Wreath Embossing Folder, daubers, Circle Punches, Gold Stripe 3/8″ ribbon, Stampin’ Blends, retired red gems, Stampin’ Dimensionals

The easiest way I’ve found to add color to this wreath is to use daubers. Brush lightly and the raised images pick up the color, keeping the texture of the embossing. I colored the berries with Real Red Stampin’ Blends, and a few of them have a few sparkly gems from eons ago.

I love that this wreath isn’t so distinctively “holiday”. You could easily use it year around in other color combinations (stay tuned!) This is a 6″ square embossing folder. The entire wreath doesn’t fit on a traditional card front, but it works well as a partial panel.

The Seasonal Tags are a bit of a sleeper, so don’t let them pass you by. You’ll reach for them again and again!

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USING CONEFLOWERS WITH COLLAGE STYLE BACKGROUNDS

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I love this coneflower image, but it’s big. It fills a card front pretty quickly, so I decided to focus on the background. After a few tries, I hit on the idea of a medley of background stamps. I had a pretty big mess on the my craft desk when I was done!

  • Stamps: Coneflower, Beautiful Motifs, Textured Notes, Elements of Text (retired)
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Daffodil Delight, Peach Pie, Timid Tiger, Old Olive, Pecan Pie
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Coneflower dies,Stampin’ Blends, Masking Paper, Stampin’ Dimensional

Both flowers are colored with Stampin’ Blends and cut with the Coneflower dies, but one is adhered directly to the card front and one is on Stampin’ Dimensionals. Is it even possible to make a card without Stampin’ Dimensionals?

I played with the layers for the collage for quite a white. I haven’t done much collage, so it takes a long time for me to find the color, shape and textural combination. There was a lot of trial and error, but isn’t that what crafting is all about??

Find yourself a nice big image and play with the background. Then come back an tell me how you did!

In the meantime, shop the Online Store.

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COLOUR INKSPIRATION CHALLENGE #CI193 FEATURING BRANCHING OUT

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Oh, I loved colour challenge #CI196 – Shy Shamrock, Summer Splash, Gray Granite and Early Espresso. I knew I wanted to use a lot of white space with those intense In Colours and Branching Out provided just the image I needed.

  • Stamps: Branching Out, Layers of Beauty
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Shy Shamrock, Summer Splash, Gray Granite, Early Espresso
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Branching Out dies, White 1/4″ ribbon, Woven Textures DSP, Blending Brush, Stampin’ Blends, Stampin’ Write Marker, Stampin’ Dimensionals

Shy Shamrock and Summer Splash are next door neighbors, but I assure you they’re both here. I used Shamrock for the greenery, then added a gentle wash of Summer Splash behind it with the Blending Brush. The layer under the Woven Textures DSP is also Summer Splash. And the Stampin’ Write Marker splatters are Shy Shamrock. (I may have to stock up on markers just so I can make those fine splatters!)

The white ribbon was transformed to Gray Granite ribbon with the magic of Stampin’ Blends. That ribbon is now on the Last Chance list (sigh) so you might want to stock up while you can.

I enjoy the Colour INKspiration challenges so much, and the team is the nicest group of crafters you could ask for. Take a look at their page – maybe you’d like to give this challenge a try! Here’s the inspiration photo for CI#196

And as always, I’m grateful for your support at my Online Store.

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LLAMA CHRISTMAS OR LLAMA CELEBRATION??

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Llamas are back – this time in landscape! Their necks aren’t quite as long, but there’s room for more of them, and more llamas can only be a good thing. Please tell me you agree.

  • Stamps: Long Time No See, Spooky Halloween
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Memento Black, Gray Granite, Smoky Slate, Lost Lagoon, Granny Apple Green, Poppy Parade
  • Accessories: Stampin’ Blends, Paper Snips (no longer available), Sweet Sorbet Bordered Ribbon (retired)

I really wanted this to be a Christmas Card, but when I switched out the sentiment I had second thoughts. This sentiment is from Coneflower Celebrations, and I think it fits better. Ugh. I need to find order a Christmas sentiment this shape!

Either way, this card was colored with Stampin’ Blends much the way Tuesday’s card was. The llama-neck-sweaters have 3 colors, and if you look closely you’ll realize that some of the llamas are Smoky Slate and some are Gray Granite. Those funny starry background bits are from Spooky Halloween, because it was sitting on my desk begging to be included (Yes, the stamps talk to me, and I respond. And yes, that probably means I’m certifiable.)

Look at their perky ears! They’re waiting for you to tell them how handsome they are!! Go ahead, make their day. And then shop the Online Store for your own perky llamas.

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LONG TIME NO LLAMA!

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The only reason there isn’t a llama on my September DIY Calendar is that even without a neck it’s too tall. But there’s plenty of room on a card, especially a portrait-oriented card: check out my llamas from Long Time No See!

  • Stamps: Long Time No See, With You In Mind
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Memento Black, Crumb Cake, Petal Pink, Poppy Parade, Pool Party
  • Accessories: Stampin’ Blends, White Bakers Twine, Party Dots, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Take Your Pick tool, Paper Snips (no longer available)

I took my time with this one, and it was really fun. I shaded each of the llamas a little differently, but kept their llama-neck-sweaters the same colors. (Please tell me you get the joke.)

I used the Pool Party Stampin’ Blend to color some White Bakers Twine, then poked holes to wrap it around the tallest neck. For some reason, I’ve been obsessed with deconstructing the twine lately – no idea why, I just do it.

I also indulged a whim and fussy cut the word BIRTHDAY from With You In Mind. I tried a number of sentiments on labels and banners, but this is what the card told me it needed. (Yes, I talk to the cards. And they answer me.)

Long Time No See is an Online Exclusive from earlier this year, so who knows how long it will be around. I’m happy to have it as I love these dorky faces with their dorky noses! Add a little whimsy to your crafting. It’s good for your soul.

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DIY CARD-MAKING TIPS FOR SPECIAL CELEBRATIONS

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One of the best reasons I know for making a handmade card is to honor someone special. I was invited to a bridal shower last month that I couldn’t attend (something about 2,363 miles over the ocean). I really wanted to be there, so I sent my heart in a handmade card:

  • Stamps: Delightful Wishes
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Crumb Cake, Timid Tiger
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Gallery Blooms dies, Textured Notes dies, Delightful Wishes dies, Patterns of Friendship die, Perfectly Pears die, Linen Thread, Dauber, vellum, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I used a LOT of different dies for this card. If it seems larger than usual, you have a good eye: I made this card a 5 inch x 7 inch format. I layered paper and texture, but since I had to mail it, I left off any embellishment other than my beloved Linen Thread.

My technique for this card was relatively simple: I set out a stack of papers of papers for layering and played with them, then die cut multiples of all my favorite floral bits and pieces and moved them in and out over the top panel until I was satisfied. It wasn’t exactly scientific, but it worked for me!

To add texture to the layers, I started with the Patterns of Friendship die. It’s one of my all-time favorites for texture, and I’m very sad to see it on the Last Chance list – but if you hurry, you can get a great deal on it. The Textured Notes dies are another product I consider indispensable for simple elegance – if they’re not in your crafty stash, maybe they should be!

Our niece – and Goddaughter – will be married in November, and that flight has been on the books for months! I won’t miss the wedding for the world. But since I couldn’t be at the shower, I sent her my love with a paper hug.

The 2026 DIY CALENDAR TEMPLATE is available! Buy it HERE.

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COLOUR INKSPIRATION #193: SPOOKY HALLOWEEN

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Colour challenges are a lot of fun, but I often end up scratching my head as I begin.My starting point is generally a stamp set, not a colour set, so it throws me off a bit. CI #193 isn’t a traditional set of Halloween colours, but after a few false starts, I got them to work.

  • Stamps: Spooky Halloween
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Cloud Cover, Balmy Blue, Highland Heather, Memento Black
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Spooky Halloween dies, Stylish Shapes dies, Perennial Lavender DSP, Kintsugi Inspirations DSP, Cloud Cover Faux Linen Ribbon, Purple Fine Shimmer Gems, Blending Brush, Stampin’ Blends, dauber, Wink of Stella, Stampin’ Dimensionals

There are a few adaptations on this card – I stamped on the Perennial Lavender DSP with Memento Black and Highland Heather for the background, and I stamped the sentiment on the Kintsugi Inspirations DSP. I also cut up the Cloud Cover Faux Linen Ribbon because I like the way it gets skinny and stringy.

It’s a small detail, but I cut off the cat’s paw and arranged it on top of the broom because the original looked unnatural. And there’s Stella on all of the Memento Black elements, because every Halloween card needs a little sparkle!

Here’s the INKpiration photo – how do you think I did? I had fun, and in my book, that’s the most important thing.

Have you tried a Colour Challenge? You can find all the details at the Colour INKspiration Facebook page.

(Note: Yes, I know in the USA we spell it color, but this is a South Pacific group and they spell it colour. For this post, so do I.)

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CHARMING DAY MEETS ELEMENTS OF TEXT

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I’m still working on using my DSP, but I’ve moved into current releases. Floral Charm has beautiful saturated florals, with gorgeous tone-on-tone coordinating patterns on the reverse. It’s an effortless paper that makes card design such a joy.

  • Stamps: Charming Day, Elements of Text, retired sentiment
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Petal Pink, Timid Tiger, Mossy Meadow
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut + Emboss Machine, Spotlight on Nature dies, Charming Day dies, 2 3/8” circle punch, Floral Charm DSP, Stampin’ Blends, Stampin’ Write Marker, Petal Pink Braided Trim, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I was very sad to see Elements of Text on the Last Chance list, so I’m pulling it out every chance I get. I’ve stamped off the Petal Pink ink here to get a softer background. You could also use Versamark ink if you wanted it even more subtle.

CONFESSION: I could have used the sentiment from Charming Day, but you have to ink the words separately and align them on the circle, and this perfectly-good-but-retired stamp was sitting on my craft desk saying “choose me!!”

So I did.

I added a few speckles to the Basic White circle with a Stampin’ Write Marker – just flick the brush against the cap for a light spatter. And that Petal Pink trim unravels quite easily, keeping some wave in the strands for a soft accent.

Elements of Text is on the Last Chance List so don’t wait too long to order! Charming Day is part of the Floral Charm Suite, an Online Exclusive from the July 2025 release. Happy shopping!

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ONE MORE PATTERNS OF FRIENDSHIP CARD: BIRTHDAY!

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Yup, I’m still rockin’ that Patterns of Friendship die! Today I’ve paired it with the Memories and More Celebration Expressions card pack and the Along These Lines stamp set for a colorful birthday card. I used the Patterns of Friendship die on the card front and love the result!

  • Stamps: Along These Lines, Spring Corners
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Balmy Blue, Pretty in Pink, Berry Burst, Granny Apple Green, Memento Black
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Patterns of Friendship die, Stylish Shapes die, Stampin’ Blends, Memories and More Celebration Expressions card pack, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I confess, there’s a bit of work to fussy cutting the balloons, but straight lines and simple curves are actually pretty easy. The cake is quick to color, and everything else is just layers. I love complex cards, but simple ones surely have their place!

The best part is that all the elements for this card are currently available. Shop the Online Store and see!

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